Long Itchington villagers face battle to save post office

Villagers in Long Itchington met at the weekend to discuss how they can save their post office.

Published:10:47Updated:11:50Tuesday 26 January 2016

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Villagers in Long Itchington are campaigning to stop the closure of their post office fearing an “adverse impact” on the community.

The Heart of England Co-op announced before Christmas that it would close the service at its branch in the village on February 25.

Since then, villagers have formed an action group, launched an online petition and held a meeting at the weekend at which about 80 people discussed the ways in which they might be able to get the Co-op to change its decision.

Action group leader Martin Newman said: “The Long Itchington post office provides a vital service to the Community and its closure will have a adverse impact on the community and a major impact on those people who can’t drive or have mobility problems. “The service is used by all ages including many pensioners as well as those with young families and prams all of whom walk up to use the service as well as the shop.

“Until recently the Heart of England Co-op stated on its website that post offices support rural communities and add another vital customer service.”

The village’s parish council has now arranged a meeting with Heart of England Co-op in early February.

Mr Newman said: The Long Itchington Co-op underwent a major refurbishment last summer costing £600,000 and the company advised that sales had increased by 25 to 30 per cent as a result of this.

“With the adverse impact on the community and the growth of the village population with over 200 new houses being built and potentially more this decision does not make sense.